carb problem maybe?

[kmking]

Hey everybody was wondering if anyone could help.....

I have a 1983 olds cutlass 307with a 4bbl Rochester quadrajet.
Recently has been extremely slow off the start. Sometimes when im driving
I'll hear it possibly backfire , not sure though.
i was told I might be getting use of only 2 bl out of the 4 in the carb.
And also sometimes after I turn the car off , i wont be able to have it to start up again... for a little while wont fire when im turning the key. cant figure out why. Car runs properly like 50% of the time
very aggravating .

Anyone have any suggestions on what my problem could be, and if some how much it would cost to fix something like this???

Thanks , Rick

 

[nycutlass]

stock motors use that plastic coating on the timming chain which in time fails and throws timing off ......i would check timing chain and timing its a easy thing to check without spending money.

 

[Bonnewagon]

I agree it sounds like timing. Could also be distributor advance stuck or inoperative. I'd start with the basics like a timing light check. If the chain jumped you'll see it right away, the timing will be way off. Then rev the motor and watch for the timing to advance with RPM. And pull a few plugs to see if they are clean or cruddy. Fresh plugs can cure a multitude of ills.

 

[kmking]

Now does that solve my car being extremely slow off the line?
I use to be able to smoke the 1 tire (ha) but now its like a snail.

 

[Bonnewagon]

Sure. Proper timing advance is critical to engine performance. But those items mentioned would be very noticable,as in a rough stalling motor, even backfireing. If the motor is silky smooth, then check your carb and verify the secondaries are opening. I knew a guy that swore his carb sucked and it turned out that his aftermarket throttle cable mount was loose and moving when he hit the gas. So the throttle never opened up properly.

 

[nycutlass]

we can only give you ideas from what you write to us,there could be more going on that u didnt pick up on ,it could also be the carb sucking air from the bottom,...but if you follow the steps in what we saying we can solve the issue from here .

 

[SLICK79WGN]

another simple thing to check is when was the last time you changed the fuel filter?

 

[79cuttycholo]

anything dealing with a carb backfiring is timing and since youve lost of power i suspect timing is wrong take off the timing cover and check ur chain and take out your dist and check the gear to c if its in bad shape or ur vacuum advance isnt working the weights in ur dist are seizing up etc

 

[1evilregal]

And also sometimes after I turn the car off , i wont be able to have it to start up again... for a little while wont fire when im turning the key. cant figure out why.

if it's not getting spark, I'd say to replace the ign module in the distributor....only if it's not getting spark when the engine is hot...

 

[crucial118]

Yeah, def start with the basics. Try a fuel filter. I have an 86 Cutty Salon and I had the same prob today and changed the fuel filter and checked the timing. Gave it a little more adv. Drives alot better. Not sure if it was the filter or the timing. But timing was not that far off. Be careful of removing the fuel inlet nut cause mine was stubborn. I ended up stripping it, even while using PB Blaster, and had to cut it and make a new one. Prepare for the unexpected when dealing with something 20+ years old.